• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.145-151
• /
• 2011

Backgrounds: Multidisciplinary approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are currently being performed to target various cancers in Western Medicine. However, some cancers still remain difficult to battle, which has long attracted many scientists for the discovery of new agents to fight cancers. Ginseng is one of the herbs used in Oriental Medicine including Korea, China and Japan. We have further investigated ginseng for its anticancer effect. Objective: This is a comprehensive review summary of anticancer effect of ginseng and ginsenoids as a possible agent for future cancer treatment. Methods: Data were retrieved from two web sites; www.pubmed.com and www.riss.kr, and authorized texts concerning anticancer effects of ginseng. From collected data, information on anticancer effect of ginseng was thoroughly sorted, restructured, then assessed. Results: Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer belongs to Araliaceae Panax family, a perennial prairie plant with its root known as Ginseng Radix. Ginseng induces anticancer effect through cell cycle arrest, acceleration of apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, and suppression of metastasis. Anticancer effect of ginseng may be due to single compound or multi-compound actions. Many studies report involvement of immune mechanisms of cytokines, Natural Killer (NK) cells, macrophages and some antibodies in enhancing anticancer effect of ginseng. In near future, possibility of applying these mechanisms into clinical trials is convinced. There were some important findings on saponin in ginsenoids in reviewing for this article; First, eradication of metastatic tumors were influenced by macrophage activation. Second, suppression of malignant melanoma cell metastasis to lung were induced by macrophage and NK cell activation in spleen with red ginseng acidic polysaccharide (RGAP). Third, final metabolites of M1, M4 had exerted anticancer effect of ginseng. Conclusion: Unknown anticancer mechanisms of ginseng have been studied for many years up until now. Ginseng is comprised of multiple bio-chemical compounds that create complex pharmaceutical interactions. Therefore, for its proper usage and safe prescription, studies on different types of ginseng and patients' susceptibility to ginseng according to their constitution and stages of the disease should be further pursued. More efforts are needed to understand the anticancer mechanisms of ginseng as well.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.211-232
• /
• 1998

Because there were lots of side effects and tolerances to the existing anticancer therapeutics, the experiment extracting the anticancer effect from medicinal herbs is in progress liviely. Therefore the purpose of this study were to research the tendency and the course of anticancer studies. To research the tendency of anticancer studies, medicinal herbs of fifty three experimental papers were analyzed and to examine the course of studies, anticancer papers in the medical world were used. The obtained results were as follows: Methods of herbal medicinal treatments were elimination the pathogenic factor(祛邪) and supporting healthy energy(扶正) method used. In this study, immediately tumor bearing and immune response were the most important point. The subject of immediately tumor bearing was not in the specific cancer but in the influence on the life span of general cencerous cells. In the experimental study of immune response, the effect on NK cell activity of medicinal herbs most studied. The combined usage of medicinal herbs and anticancer agent mostly intended to know whether it inhibits the tumor cell growth. The serum test and blood cell number test show if medicinal herbs inhibit side effect of anticancer agent. More than 80 percents of used medicinal herbs, there were anticancer activities. However anticancer experimental studies using medicinal herbs two weak points. The one, it was difficult to choose a prescription according to differentiation of symptoms and signs(辨證論) of the Oriental Medicine, because we put to the test not a man but a mouse. The other, as we observed the indirect effect of the whole physiological regulation caused by synergic effects of the complex prescription, we don't understand the detailed mechanism of the herb. Therefore, if the anticancer effect of the herb is proved the experiment, we should research the concrete medical action of medicinal herbs and immunological analysis of herbal medicines to the body.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.281-288
• /
• 2001

Anticancer effect of methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. on oral carcinoma (KB) and osteosarcoma (HOS) cells were investigated in this study. In order to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of Caesalpinia sappan L, we analyzed telomerase inhibitory effect of the methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. In addition we prepared 5 fraction samples according to its polarity differences and analyzed anticancer effects on oral carcinoma and osteosarcoma cells. Following results are obtained in this study. 1. 50% cell proliferation inhibitory value ($IC_{50}$) of the methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. against oral carcinoma (KB) cells and osteosarcoma (HOS) cells were $9.0{\mu}g/ml$ and $10.9{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. 2. The methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. showed inhibitory effect of telomerase which is required for cancer cell immortality. Therefore, it seems that the anticancer effect of methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan is at least partially due to telomerase inhibitory effect. 3. Five fraction samples were prepared according to its polarity and 88.7% of ingredient of total methanol extract was transferred to ethylacetate fraction. Thin layer chromatography analysis showed that dichloromethane fraction contained ingredient with relatively high polarity and ethylacetate fraction contained similar ingredient found in total methanol extract. 4. Anticancer effect was observed in n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethylacetate fractions. The highest anticancer effect was found in dichloromethane fraction which had $IC_{50}$ value of 4.4 and $>4.0{\mu}g/ml$ against oral carcinoma (KB) cells and osteosarcoma (HOS) cells, respectively.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.391-412
• /
• 2017

Objective : In this study, we searched the experimental research about combined treatment of anticancer drug and herbal medicine for killing or inhibiting proliferation of Cancer cells searched in OASIS and KISS. This study aimed to analyze the experimental research paper about anticancer drug combined treatment with herbal medicine. Methods : We collected the research paper including killing or inhibiting proliferation of Cancer cells in OASIS and KISS using keyword anticancer drug with herbal medicine, tumor suppressor with herbal medicine, inhibition of Cancer with herbal medicine and combined treatment with herbal medicine. Assorting by cancer cells, we analyzed experimental results cancer cell viability, anticancer drug dosage, tumor weight and survival rate. Also, we checked the effects of herbal medicine on cancer and additive effect reducing side effect of anticancer drug. Results : Total 45 studies were selected. 38 studies reported combined treatment of anticancer drug and herbal medicine was more effective than only anticancer drug. The death of cancer cells was synergistically induced by the cotreatment of anticancer drug and herb extracts. The studies suggest that the cotreatment of anticancer drug and herb extracts could reduce side effect of anticancer drug. In addition, some studies reported cotreatment mechanism like apoptotic death signal processes. In combined treatment of anticancer drug and herb extracts, The expression of Fas/Fas L, Bax, Bcl2, Caspase-3 etc.. was markedly increased in cancer cells. Conclusions : Our results suggest that anticancer drug combined treatment with herbal medicine could be efficient for killing or inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells. However, this paper had some limitation as follows: First, collected studies have been published only for korean journal. Second, results of research and effects of combined treatment are not collected objectively. To solve these problems, more objective and balanced studies should be performed.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.583-590
• /
• 2007

Anticancer effect of methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. on oral carcinoma(KB) and osteosarcoma(HOS) cells were investigated in this study. In order to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of Caesalpinia sappan L, we analyzed telomerase inhibitory effect of the methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. In addition, we prepared 5 fraction samples according to its polarity differences and analyzed anticancer effects on oral carcinoma and osteosarcoma cells. Following results are obtained in this study. 1. 50% cell proliferation inhibitory value($IC_{50}$) of the methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. against oral carcinoma(KB) cells and osteosarco ma(HOS) cells were $9.0{\mu}g/ml\;and\;10.9{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. 2. The methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan L. showed inhibitory effect of telomerase which is required for cancer cell immortality. Therefore, it seems that the anticancer effect of methanol extract of Caesalpinia sappan is at least partially due to telomerase inhibitory effect. 3. Five fraction samples were prepared according to its polarity and 88.7% of ingredient of total methanol extract was transferred to ethylacetate fraction. Thin layer chromatography analysis showed that dichloromethane fraction contained ingredient with relatively high polarity and ethylacetate fraction contained similar ingredient found in total methanol extract. 4. Anticancer effect was observed in n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethylacetate fractions. The highest anticancer effect was found in dichloromethane fraction which had $IC_{50}$ value of $4.4{\mu}g/ml$ and > $4.0{\mu}g/ml$ against oral carcinoma(KB) cells and osteosarcoma(HOS) cells, respectively.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 2001

After examining and analysing the medicinal herbs of fifty-three experimental papers, we studied their effects on immediate tumors in specific cancers. We did not study the influence on the life span of general cancerous cells. We looked to see if the combined usage of medicinal herbs and anticancer agents inhibited the tumor cell's growth. The serum test and blood cell count test showed if the medicinal herbs inhibited the side effects of the anticancer agent. The test showed that more than 80 percent of used medicinal herbs, brought anticancer activities. However, anticancer experimental studies using medicinal herbs have draw-backs. First, it is difficult to choose a prescription using the standards of Oriental Medicine because we are testing a mouse not a man. Second, because we only observed the indirect effect on the whole physiological regulation caused by the synergic effects of the complex prescription, we are not able to understand the detailed mechanism of the herbs. Therefore; if the anticancer effect of the herbs is proved by the experiment, we need to research the concrete medical action of medicinal herbs and the immunological analysis of herbal medicines on the body.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.743-752
• /
• 1999

The purpose of the paper is to explore the current knowledge on the nutritional evaluation, cholesterol-lowering effect and antitumor activity of kimchi and its ingredients(Korean cabbage, garlic, red pepper powder, ginger and onion). Kimchi contains high contents of nutrients such as vitamins(ascorbic acid, $\beta$-carotene and vitamin B complex), minerals(calcium, potassium, iron and phosphorous), essential amino acids and dietary fiber. Kimch also contains high levels of lactic acid bacteria, allicin, capsaicin, organic acid, phenol compounds, flavonoid and sulfur compounds. The dietary fiber and lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi are effective in improving intestinal microflora of human. Isoluble dietary fiber shows anticancer activity, but soluble dietary fiber shows hypocholesterolemic effect. Lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi acts as a hypocholesterolemic or anticancer agent. A major ingredient of kimchi is mainly cruciferous and allium family vegetables, which were also reported to prevent cancer and atherosclerosis. It is suggested that kimchi is important not only as one of the traditional fermented Korean food but also as therapeutic agent for carcinogenesis and hypercholesterolemic state.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.457-461
• /
• 2006

It is demonstrated that phenolic compound has cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. Recently, ferulic acid is involved in anticancer activity by showing the decrease of cell viability in cancer cells. But, the anticancer mechanism of ferulic acid is left unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the anticancer activity of ferulic acid on NIH3T3 fibroblasts and human skin melanoma cells (SK-MEL-3). The anticancer activity was measured by determining the cytotoxicy of ferulic acid on these cells. The cytotoxicity was measured by cell viability via XTT assay in these cells. In this study, ferulic acid decreased cell viability according to the dose-dependent manners after human skin melanoma cells were treated with various concentrations of ferulic acid for 48 hours. especially, ferulic acid remarkably decreased cell viability at a concentration of $120{\mu}M$ compared with control in human skin melanoma cells. While, ferulic acid did not show the significant decrease of cell viability at concentrations of $30{\sim}120{\mu}M$ in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. These results suggest that ferulic acid showed anticancer activity in cancer cells such as human skin melanoma cells by the decrease of cell viability significantly.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.23-33
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The present study was performed to clarify the antioxidant and anticancer effects of extract of stamens of Nelumbo nucifera and Kaempferol. Methods : Antioxidant effect was measured by DPPH-radical scavenging activity for electron donating ability (EDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity for SOD and lipid peroxidation. Anticancer effect was assessed by MTT absorbance for cytotoxicity. Results : Vitamin E, Kaempferol and ethyl acetate extract of stamens of Nelumbo nucifera increased SOD-like activity and DPPH-radical scavenging activity dose-dependently. On the contrary, lipid peroxidation was time-dependently decreased. Furthermore, Kaempferol and ethyl acetate extract of stamens of Nelumbo nucifera significantly decreased the growth rate of C6 glioma cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that ethyl acetate extract of stamens of Nelumbo nucifera may be a putative antioxidant or anticancer substance.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2008

Background : The number of outpatient injected anticancer drug is increasing. and the pathway of prescribing, compounding, and injecting anticancer drug is processed very rapidly in out-patient department. Moreover, Dose of anticancer drug is often changed depending on side effect of patients. So we need more effective inspection of anticancer drug prescriptions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prescription errors for anticancer drugs in Out-Patient Department and to suggest system to prevent them. Method : The study took place at Asan Medical Center from July to September 2007. The pharmacists performed inspection of anticancer drug prescriptions before compounding and injecting. We used protocol-based anticancer drug order program and Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Result : During the study period, we analyzed 4683 prescriptions for out-patient. And we detected 55 medication errors (1.2%). Most common errors included dosage above or below the correct ones (56.3%), followed by incorrect treatment duration. Because most of dosing errors were in the range of usual dosage, it was hard to detect them. So when inspecting the prescription, we considered the medical records of individual patients. As a result, we could raise the efficiency of intervention. Therefore inspection using EMR could possibly reduce the number of anticancer drug errors. Conclusion : we are preventing the medication errors on stability and dosage above or below the maximum therapeutic dose according to the previous inspection system. However most of dosing errors were in the range of usual dosage according to the result of this study. Because of there was interpatient variability of dosage depending adverse effect. For improvement of quality assurance, we suggest inspection system based on patient's medical history.